PUNCTUATION RULES COMMAS COLON SEMICOLON Adapted from Sharon Fulmer

COMMA RULE #1 Use commas to separate items in a series. Example: Please buy apples, oranges, and bananas.

COMMON RULE # 2 Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun. Example: Nashville High School has motivated, benevolent, and smart students.

COMMA RULE #3 Use a comma before coordinating conjunctions when they join independent clauses. FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so Example: My friend invited me to a party, but I did not want to go.

Comma Rule #3, cont. DO NOT use a comma before coordinating conjunctions that join: parts of speech, phrases, dependent clauses, etc. EX. I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. EX. Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. EX. After I clean the house and after I mow the yard, I’m going to rest.

COMMA RULE # 4 Use a comma to set off nonessential clauses and phrases. (A nonessential clause or phrase can be left out of the sentence without changing the meaning.) Example: Fred, my best student, had to leave class early today.

COMMA RULE #5 A) Use a comma after introductory words such as first, yes, or no. Example: Yes, Draper is my favorite author.

COMMA RULE #5, CONT. B) Use a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. Example: Catching the ball on the fly, the receiver ran down the field and scored.

COMMA RULE #5, CONT. C) Use a comma after an introductory prepositional phrase. Example: After band practice, we will have a picnic.

COMMA RULE #6 A) Use commas to set off non-essential appositives and appositive phrases. Example: The Firm, a novel, is my favorite book and was published in 1989.

COMMA RULE #6, CONT. B) Use commas to set off words in direct address. Example: Your essay, Tom, was well written.

COMMA RULE #7 Use a comma to introduce quotations. Example: Tammy said, “I will go shopping with you.”

COMMA SPLICE 1) A comma splice is a run-on sentence with a comma where two sentences run together. 2) You MUST use a semicolon or a comma with a conjunction to join 2 independent clauses. Incorrectly written: Mrs. Wesson went to the grocery store, she needed to buy food for dinner. Correctly written: Mrs. Wesson went to the grocery store; she needed to buy food for dinner.

COMMA SPLICE, CONT. Incorrectly written: My dad took me fishing, we caught our limit. Correctly written: My dad took me fishing, and we caught our limit.

SEMICOLON RULE #1 Use a semicolon between two independent clauses. This is called a compound sentence. Example: It rained heavily during the afternoon; we managed to have our picnic anyway.

Semicolon Rule #2 Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb or a transitional phrase. Example: I like horses; however, I don’t own one.

SEMICOLON RULES, cont. Some Conjunctive Adverbs accordingly likewise nevertheless therefore consequently similarly however furthermore Some Transitional Phrases: for example for instance such as as a result in addition

COLON RULES 1) Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions such as follows and following. 2) Do NOT use a colon before a list that directly follows a verb or preposition. 3) Example: Please buy the following items while you are at the store: meat, potatoes, and milk.